Locals and tourists in Hawaii scrambled to escape low-lying areas after a tsunami warning was issued for the entire state. The alert came after a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday morning, according to the US Geological Survey.
Videos began circulating on social media, showing chaotic scenes as people attempted to flee coastal zones.
“Here’s a few looking west. Insane amount of traffic trying to get to higher ground,” one user wrote, sharing a clip of jammed highways.
Another post read, “Wow... just checked Google Maps and the traffic in Hawaii looks treacherous as evacuations to higher ground are underway from the Tsunami Warning caused by the 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Russia.”
One person warned, “Heavy traffic leaving Downtown Honolulu, Hawaii as tsunami approaches. This is why you SHOULDN’T WAIT until the last minute. Traffic will only worsen! If you’re in an evacuation zone, LEAVE NOW!”
Emergency management teams across Hawaii moved quickly. The Department of Transportation posted detailed instructions for each island. “Kauai - Avoid Hanalei to allow people to evacuate. We are not closing Wailua Bridge. Oahu - Likelike townbound has been opened. Kolekole Pass has been opened to leave Leeward coast. Nanakuli Contraflow has been shut down. Maui State Highways is staging vehicles and equipment. - Molokai - Kalaupapa Airport personnel are ready to evacuate to the lighthouse. Big Island - Hilo Airport commercial operations have been suspended to facilitate evacuations from Keaukaha. All Islands - Coast Guard Capt. of the Port has ordered all vessels to follow their procedures to leave port,” the department posted on X.
The US Coast Guard's Captain of the Port in Honolulu instructed all commercial vessels to evacuate their ports.
“Been on Maui 11 years. My first official Tsunami siren,” Dowd wrote, sharing a short video that showed a quiet neighbourhood pierced by the urgent wail of the alert.
The post quickly caught attention. Responses ranged from alarm to advice. One person commented, “Ugh. It’s no joke. Take higher ground.” Another wrote, “You better get moving!” A third added, “Stay safe, brother!” Someone else warned, “The weather channel is now telling you to get up at least… 10-20 stories… extremely rare and bad.”
In an official update, the NWS warned, “The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest.”
Honolulu’s Department of Emergency Management also announced evacuations in certain areas.
US President Donald Trump addressed the situation in a post on X, “Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit https://tsunami.gov for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!”
Further advisories came from the West Coast. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles stated, “A Tsunami Advisory has been issued, replacing the Tsunami Watch. The tsunami should arrive near 1AM tonight. If you are located in the coastal area, move off the beach & out of harbors & marinas. Do not go to the coast to watch. Be alert to instructions from local EM officials.”
The NWS in Eureka, California added, “A Tsunami Advisory is in effect for the coastal areas of California. First wave arrival is expected around 1150 PM PDT. Multiple waves are expected, lasting for 10-36 hours. Move off the beach and out of harbors/marinas. Mariners are advised to get to depth of 30 fathoms.”
The San Francisco Bay Area office warned against curiosity turning into danger. “This will NOT be a single wave. Do NOT try to go to the coast to take photos,” they posted, cautioning people against putting themselves and emergency responders at risk.
Authorities across the Pacific are continuing to monitor wave movements and issue updates as needed. With ports closed, roads packed and sirens sounding, the Pacific Rim remains on high alert.
Videos began circulating on social media, showing chaotic scenes as people attempted to flee coastal zones.
“Here’s a few looking west. Insane amount of traffic trying to get to higher ground,” one user wrote, sharing a clip of jammed highways.
Another post read, “Wow... just checked Google Maps and the traffic in Hawaii looks treacherous as evacuations to higher ground are underway from the Tsunami Warning caused by the 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Russia.”
One person warned, “Heavy traffic leaving Downtown Honolulu, Hawaii as tsunami approaches. This is why you SHOULDN’T WAIT until the last minute. Traffic will only worsen! If you’re in an evacuation zone, LEAVE NOW!”
Emergency management teams across Hawaii moved quickly. The Department of Transportation posted detailed instructions for each island. “Kauai - Avoid Hanalei to allow people to evacuate. We are not closing Wailua Bridge. Oahu - Likelike townbound has been opened. Kolekole Pass has been opened to leave Leeward coast. Nanakuli Contraflow has been shut down. Maui State Highways is staging vehicles and equipment. - Molokai - Kalaupapa Airport personnel are ready to evacuate to the lighthouse. Big Island - Hilo Airport commercial operations have been suspended to facilitate evacuations from Keaukaha. All Islands - Coast Guard Capt. of the Port has ordered all vessels to follow their procedures to leave port,” the department posted on X.
The US Coast Guard's Captain of the Port in Honolulu instructed all commercial vessels to evacuate their ports.
Maui resident shares siren video, triggers online concern
Edward Dowd, founder of Phinance Technologies and a resident of Maui, recorded and posted a tsunami siren on X.“Been on Maui 11 years. My first official Tsunami siren,” Dowd wrote, sharing a short video that showed a quiet neighbourhood pierced by the urgent wail of the alert.
The post quickly caught attention. Responses ranged from alarm to advice. One person commented, “Ugh. It’s no joke. Take higher ground.” Another wrote, “You better get moving!” A third added, “Stay safe, brother!” Someone else warned, “The weather channel is now telling you to get up at least… 10-20 stories… extremely rare and bad.”
United States issues warnings across the Pacific
The US National Weather Service confirmed the threat and stated, “A tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii,” as reported by Bloomberg.In an official update, the NWS warned, “The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest.”
Honolulu’s Department of Emergency Management also announced evacuations in certain areas.
US President Donald Trump addressed the situation in a post on X, “Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit https://tsunami.gov for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!”
Further advisories came from the West Coast. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles stated, “A Tsunami Advisory has been issued, replacing the Tsunami Watch. The tsunami should arrive near 1AM tonight. If you are located in the coastal area, move off the beach & out of harbors & marinas. Do not go to the coast to watch. Be alert to instructions from local EM officials.”
The NWS in Eureka, California added, “A Tsunami Advisory is in effect for the coastal areas of California. First wave arrival is expected around 1150 PM PDT. Multiple waves are expected, lasting for 10-36 hours. Move off the beach and out of harbors/marinas. Mariners are advised to get to depth of 30 fathoms.”
The San Francisco Bay Area office warned against curiosity turning into danger. “This will NOT be a single wave. Do NOT try to go to the coast to take photos,” they posted, cautioning people against putting themselves and emergency responders at risk.
Japan urges evacuation, cites risk of multiple waves
Japan also responded with a public warning. The government, quoted by the BBC, stated, “Damage due to tsunami waves is expected. Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building. Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted.”Earthquake revised to 8.8 magnitude
The earthquake struck just after 8:25 am local time near the Kamchatka Peninsula, a seismically active region in Russia’s far east. The US Geological Survey initially reported the quake as magnitude 8.0, then revised it to 8.7, and finally confirmed it as 8.8.Authorities across the Pacific are continuing to monitor wave movements and issue updates as needed. With ports closed, roads packed and sirens sounding, the Pacific Rim remains on high alert.
